Chaffetz Lindsey has also recruited two associates from Clifford Chance. Hosking said: “It’s early days for us but we are focused on building the team further.”

The move comes at time of great turbulence for Clifford Chance. As well as conducting its global partnership restructuring the US litigation team suffered a spate of defections last year.

In December The Lawyer reported on former US head John Carroll and partner Warren Feldman and David Meister defecting to Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (2 December).

Last October the firm laid of 20 litigation associates from its US offices.

A spokesperson for Clifford Chance said: “I can confirm that partners Peter Chaffetz, David Lindsey, Charlie Scibetta, James Hosking and counsel Cecilia Moss have left Clifford Chance to start their own firm – Chaffetz Lindsey LLP. We wish them well.”